"Mmm..." she tips her head to the side, "a couple minutes on foot. I'm going to hitch my horse here though. If there's something in the lake I don't want to put it in danger. Pretty sure I'm quieter than it is anyway..."

"If you are thinking about doing a solo sneak 'n peek... forget it, sister! Why don't we find a shady spot, leave the kids to mind the horses - maybe with a chaperone - and then the rest of us go over there, quiet or not, and see what we can see?"

"I'm not exactly stealthy myself. I think I'd rather have Morgaard's stout axe around if we run into that beast. I was wondering if Alexis should keep an eye on the kids. She can signal us easily if there is a problem... Or we could just leave the kids here alone and hope nothing happens. With us stomping around, chances are good we'll attract whatever problems are around."

Felmor gives her a dubious look, but does nod his head in agreement. "Aye, I guess yer right, no tellin' whuts waitin' fer us up thar." He turns to Alexis, and says, "Like Priyya says, it may be a good idear fer ye ta keep an eye on the kids. I'm sure the Cap'n kin scream loud enough fer ya ta hear, if we need 'elp."

Sorry this is taking so long. Training at work and not being able to stay up super-late, along with Arcadia and getting stuff for Serpent's Skull setup has been taking TONS of time.

The four of you skirt along the eastern shore of the lake for about a quarter of a mile. Eventually after you pass thru a treeline that just out into the lake, you are able to make out a small camp that it concealed. The rowboat is actually tethered to the end of a pier that has been camouflaged with bushes and sandy-colored tarps. A number of weathered crates sit near the end of the pier.

To the east of it is an old, burned-out campfire that Morgaard estimates hasn't been used in at least a week or more. Around it are several tents and bedrolls which look like they have been thrashed by a large animal. It is currently about 8am and there is still a good bit of haze hanging over the lake that has not yet been burned off by the rising sun.

Morgaard points to the edge of the shore nearest the camp where it looks like something large and heavy came up on this area from the water. Looking at the size of the rut it looks to be about the size of the rowboat only much smoother and with other broad, flat impressions to either side of it.

Priyya recalls the bandit's body, "I'm thinking a big lizard or amphibian. The bite was circular, the teeth small, and there was the toxin... not that it matters much. It's a big damn beast with teeth."

"Do we have any of those explosive bolts left? I'm thinking we try to ambush this thing. We back up as far as possible, bait it out of the water somehow, and hammer it from a distance for as long as possible."

Felmor nods at Priyya, "Aye we gots four of those bolts left. Believe the Cap'n is carryin' them now," indicating Alis. "I like th' ambushin idear, jes don't know what ta use fer bait, I'd really don't wanna become bait fer it." He looks over towards the rowboat, "Mebbe them crates has got some food we kin use fer bait."

"This is a pretty still lake. Maybe if we toss rocks into the water that will be enough. Or maybe if we light the fire... let's figure out where we want everyone positioned before we put this to the test."

"You mean you guys actually want to attract a venemous lake monster?" Alis looks at you like you've cracked before commenting, "Well... it's not on my list but I suppose it can always be written in later, right?"

Felmor sees Priyya smile and his heart is gladdened. Aye, she always has a smile on 'er face, though I guess she is a crazy bi***, I still love 'er.. "She be right, Cap'n. Speakin' as a sailor, these creatures be a threat ta our livelyhood. Sailin' be dangerous 'n we gotta takes steps ta make th' water safer."

Priyya surveys the scene, hands on hips. "Well, I'm out of ideas. I don't think we want to take a boat ride with that beastie out there. Maybe if we tie a rope to the boat and push it out into the lake, maybe we can see what kind of beast it is... Or do you guys want to leave well enough alone?"

Priyya springs into action, running towards the trail leading away from the pier S21-22 around there I guess her voice rising to a yell, "Bloody Hell! We don't have long to wait... something iS COMING TOWARDS THE PIER! FALL BACK!" She readies her crossbow as she runs to take up a defensive position and considers her spell options.

I'd just like to state, for the record, how much I f%#!ing LOVE Priyya's Perception.

EDIT - Oops. I was looking at the previous map where Priyya and Fel were by the fire... feel free to amend her actions to reflect backing up with the group and not hightailing it overland.

Priyya shouts her warning as a long-necked creature with sleek skin mottled like pebbles, rushes forward it's body still a shadow beneath the surface of the lake. It is coming right up on Alis' position.

Felmor breaks out at a run but due to this being only a single action is only able to make it shortly past Priyya to Q15.

Behind Alis and Morgaard, the creature rears up, it's long neck rising up from a sleek yet immense body with a long tail and propelled by four flippers. With a hiss, it strikes at Alis deciding her to be an easier meal than the bellicose dwarf.

His attack strikes it soundly knocking it's long sinewy neck aside. The creature's teeth snap shut just inches from Alis' head. Judging by its size, you have no doubt that it would have easily swallowed her in a single gulp!

Seeing how well Alis dodged and how close the beast's bite was to her, Priyya is alarmed. "Let's fall back! It might have a long reach with that neck but maybe it can't get fully out of the water! Let's take it from a distance."

Priyya's shot flies past Morgaard just managing to catch the creature where its neck meets its body near the waterline.

Felmor executes his best roll to draw within range of the creature, but his best isn't good enough. Alis shouts, "Felmor, you're too close!" However, her warning comes too late and the beast lashes out at him before he can throw his flask...

AoO 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Fortunately the sailor is able to duck the attack, although he suspects he just got really lucky. Hoping his luck holds up, he lobs his flask yet it falls well short landing in the open crate full of fabric. Smoke begins to rise from it as the cloth within begins to catch fire.

The creature's needle-sharp teeth veritably perforate Felmor's side and he staggers from the sudden loss of blood-pressure as his life flashes before his eyes. Yet even though his liver (among other organs) is now holier-than-he, the wound feels strangely numb.

Seeing that Felmor cleverly lit the box of fabric on fire to drive the beast away from her and Morgaard, Alis runs back behind the other crates to keep the creature distracted and in position long enough for the flames to grow. Hopefully a larger fire will dissuade it. To sweeten the deal, she fires a double shot at it from her sewing kit...